Over the years, Germany has had a large British expatriate community, mainly through military personnel stationed there since 1945.
Then, there was an influx of British builders and workers in the seventies and eighties who came to work in Germany – immortalised in the television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet! However, they did not settle permanently but returned to the British Isles as their economy improved.
Since the early nineties there has been a steady influx of British professionals, and today, approximately 96,000 Brits are working and living in Germany. Most of them are young professionals: the age group is 25 to 40.
British expatriates in Germany enjoy the relatively high standard of living and safety of the country. In comparison to the UK and other EU countries, Germany has low levels of crime and higher standards of living.
What about the German language, you may wonder? Most Germans speak English and are more than happy to practise their English instead of speaking German. Hence, it is possible to get by in everyday life just by speaking English.
But, to work and fully integrate in Germany, it is vital to speak the native language. Maybe you are thinking of relocating to Germany and are thinking of taking German lessons or hiring a German tutor in London? Then, get in touch!